ISBN Lookup

AI Overview

The book "Australian Federal Constitutional Law: Commentary and Materials" by George Winterton is a comprehensive treatise on the constitutional law of Australia. Here is a detailed overview of the book, including its key themes, structure, and critical reception:

Key Themes

  1. Constitutional Fundamentals: The book begins with an introduction to the fundamental principles of the Australian Constitution, including its historical background and the framework of the federal system.

  2. Executive Power: It delves into the executive power of the Commonwealth, examining the role and responsibilities of the executive branch in the Australian federal system.

  3. Parliamentary Sovereignty: The book discusses parliamentary sovereignty and state constitutional law, exploring the relationship between the federal parliament and the state legislatures.

  4. High Court Decisions: It provides an in-depth analysis of significant High Court decisions that have shaped Australian constitutional law, covering topics such as inconsistency, commerce power, and other critical constitutional issues.

  5. Constitutional Reform Proposals: The book includes a section on constitutional reform proposals, examining official publications and historical background related to constitutional changes.

Structure

The book is divided into several parts, each focusing on a specific aspect of Australian federal constitutional law:

  • Part I: Introduction

    • Chapter 1: Constitutional Fundamentals
    • Chapter 2: State Constitutional Law

  • Part II: The Executive Power of the Commonwealth

    • Chapter 3: The Executive

  • Part III: Parliamentary Sovereignty and State Constitutional Law

    • Chapter 4: Parliamentary Sovereignty and State Constitutional Law

  • Part IV: Inconsistency and Other Issues

    • Chapter 5: Inconsistency

  • Part V: Commerce and Corporations

    • Chapter 6: Commerce Power

Critical Reception

While specific reviews of the book are not readily available in the provided sources, the book is widely regarded as a seminal work in the field of Australian constitutional law. It is often cited in academic and legal circles for its comprehensive analysis and detailed commentary on key constitutional decisions and principles.

Editions

The book has been published in multiple editions, with the third edition being particularly notable. The third edition includes contributions from several experts in the field, such as Peter Gerangelos, HP Lee, Nicholas Aroney, Sarah Murray, Simon Evans, and Patrick Emerton.

Bibliography

The third edition includes a comprehensive bibliography that covers a wide range of casebooks, reference books, annotations of the Commonwealth Constitution, historical background, and constitutional reform proposals. This makes it a valuable resource for both practitioners and scholars of Australian constitutional law.

In summary, "Australian Federal Constitutional Law: Commentary and Materials" by George Winterton is a foundational text that provides a detailed and structured analysis of the Australian Constitution and its application. It is highly regarded for its comprehensive coverage of constitutional principles and significant High Court decisions, making it an essential resource for anyone studying or practicing Australian federal constitutional law.